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An enzyme called carbonic anhydrase is found in red blood cells. The enzyme catalyzes the decomposition reaction of [tex]H_2CO_3[/tex] into products of [tex]H_2O[/tex] and [tex]CO_2[/tex]. Which molecule represents the substrate in this catalyzed reaction?

A. carbonic anhydrase
B. [tex]H_2CO_3[/tex]
C. [tex]H_2O[/tex]
D. red blood cells


Sagot :

The enzyme carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the decomposition of [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] (carbonic acid) into water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]) and carbon dioxide ([tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex]). In a biochemical reaction, the substrate is the molecule on which the enzyme acts.

Given the reaction:
[tex]\[ H_2CO_3 \rightarrow H_2O + CO_2 \][/tex]

In this reaction:

- Carbonic anhydrase is the enzyme that facilitates the decomposition.
- [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] is the molecule that is being decomposed by the enzyme.
- [tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex] and [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] are the products of the reaction.

Therefore, [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] is the substrate in this catalyzed reaction.

The correct answer is (B) [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex].